AALDEF Condemns Act of Terrorism Against Sikh Gurudwara in Wisconsin

Sunday, Aug 5, 2012

On Sunday, a horrific mass shooting took place at the Sikh gurudwara in
Oak Creek, Wisconsin, as members of the Sikh community were preparing
for a peaceful religious gathering. It has been reported that a white
male killed six people, and he was later killed himself after exchanging
fire with a police officer.

AALDEF condemns this blatant act of terrorism against innocent
people at a house of worship, and our thoughts and prayers are with the
victims, their families, the three continuing to fight for their lives
in critical condition, and the entire Sikh community in Oak Creek, whose
lives have been changed and feeling of safety shattered.

While details continue to emerge on this tragedy, the 700,000 Sikhs
living in the United States have increasingly been victims of hate and
discrimination. The media coverage following this tragedy, including CNN
Network's disturbing decision to distinguish Sikhs and Muslims, which
implicitly suggested an attack on Muslims is within expectation, and its initial hesitation to call this an act of terrorism, show how severely
intolerance and ignorance have been allowed to persist in our country,
and the immediate need to stop it in all of its forms.

As more information comes to light, AALDEF will seek to work with
other social justice organizations in making policy recommendations in
hopes that such tragedies can be prevented in the future.